Firstly , personally thank you for all the donations . Karen is so grateful and feels so loved and supported. This is an update I have copied from her Facebook page with her permission:
Long story short, after MDM ( Multidisciplinary meeting where all specialists, surgeon etc discussed my case) I was given an appointment the next day (yesterday) at Greenlane to meet surgeon, anaesthetist, specialist nurses and have more tests. Pretty heavy info re surgery which will be 8+ hours and long recovery, IF I am a candidate.
I'm confirmed Stage 4, cancer is in my lymph node between my diaphragm and my heart.
Surgery is dependent on the results of the laparoscopic op scheduled for 2 Dec.
My cancer is not one big mass, it is tiny tumours which have metasticised. To see it on a scan it has to be .5cm big, which means it may have been there in May when I had a clear CT scan but who knows. The laparoscopy ( camera) will look for the micro-metastasis. I was told it's like throwing sand at your insides
and they can cover all your organs. If this "powder" ( micro metastasis )is over my main organs, then I am not a candidate for surgery. In that case I go the chemo route and hope for the best.
IF I am a candidate for surgery this will happen 2 weeks after the laparoscopy-this IS my best chance of survival - so if you are religious or even a bit, please pray! However, if they do surgery, open me up, and find cancer they cant get to, they wont take any of it and will close me up again.
This is because the spread is too aggressive and no point.
If surgery IS successful, I need to be in chemo within 3 weeks to zap any unseen microscopic 'powder' because it can regrow within weeks.
So there are a lot of what ifs going forward. Chemo generally responds well to this aggressive type but there is a high possibility of return as soon as a month after so it is still an ongoing battle beyond surgery and/or chemo.
The private oncologist contacted me today and I have an appointment on Monday at 7pm. This is great news as it means l'm in chemo quicker if surgery isn't an option.
I am still strong and despite all this I aim to live! I have no room for negative thoughts or emotions because I am focused on fighting. I'm at peace with it and my mind, though fried, is in fight mode- no other way I can be.
Love you all xxxX
